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The Small Farmer Tea Project

Location:

Kerala, India

The members of the Small Farmer’s Tea Project (SFTP) in Kerala, India are predominantly marginalized small producers and members of tribal groups who have suffered from social and economic injustice for generations. The goal of the SFTP is to bring its members economic growth and control. The mountainous region of Kerala is environmentally sensitive and is experiencing massive erosion, deforestation, and acute water shortages. The SFTP is working to promote changes in growing practices to alleviate the environmental damage and rebuild the area. SFTP is part of the broader Peermade Development Society, a project of the Indian Diocese of the Catholic Church.

Learn about some of our other Tea farmer partners:

In 1998 against all odds, Wupperthal Original Rooibos Cooperative was established. Wupperthal is a democratically organized group of small-scale farmers who have grown Rooibos in South Africa for generations.

Equal Exchange has worked with Tea Promoters of India (TPI) since 1998. TPI has been a pioneer in bringing environmental and social reform to the tea industry. TPI is a Darjeeling-based family operation that manages six organic, Fair Trade tea gardens.

The Small Organic Farmers' Association (SOFA) project began in 1993 with the vision to establish a prosperous community living in harmony with the environment, and today there are over 1,600 small-scale landowner members.

One example of TPI’s pioneering work is the development of Potong. Once a colonial plantation, the Potong Garden is now collectively run by its workers and paving a stronger, more democratic path forward for the community.